Film Genre

Leigh Cardi

Visual Literacy

Tom Hammond

15 March 2010

Film Genre: War

Each war that has taken place in the world is seen as iconic by its associated region. For as long as weapons have been invented, there has been conflict between groups, areas, and countries. From the time that a war begins and ends, all information and occurrences that take place are documented and written in history books for students and the general public to read. But, not everyone enjoys learning or being entertained through reading a book. The invention of the war genre successfully shines a light on wars that have occurred and have entertained people since the early 1900s. Through this analysis of war films origin, development, conventions, and current status will be discussed.

One of the most notable early films was made in 1918 and entitled “Shoulder Arms” by Charles Chaplin. Although it is considered a comedy about war, it set the bar for war films of the future. After World War I, the brutality and futility was emphasized in films like “The Big Parade” and “What Price War?”. As time went on, and sound developed, war movies highlighted the new technology and fading love for aerial combat in “Wings” and “Hell’s Angels”. As time went on, films that concentrated on World War II were being produced. These films were designed to give the enemies demonic qualities and celebrate American unity. As time rolled into the 1950s, war films became very patriotic. The war was used as background information to set the scene of a drama or an adventure story. Movies in this time period also churned out a number of films that focused on the stresses and psychological effects of combat. Among these films were also motion pictures that were made from war novels. The success of these war films was largely dependent on staying faithful to the plot of the novel. They were also extremely popular because they depicted every aspect of the service involved in the war. During the time period after Vietnam, no films were allowed to be made concerning the great battle until 1970. The films reflecting on the conflict in Vietnam tended to show a more gruesome and realistic side. In the 1990s and 2000s films such as “Saving Private Ryan” and “Pearl Harbor” ushered in the revival of World War II films. As another decade passed, there have been films made that have shined a spotlight on the war in Iraq. For example, the movie that was just given the Academy Award for motion picture of the year, “The Hurt Locker”, followed the lives of a team that dissembles terrorist bombs in Baghdad. As films developed over time, conventions started to develop as well.

Conventions are naturally exposed as a genre continues to grow. One theme that seemed to be prominent in many war films is the need for mobilization. More specifically, this genre depicts American people coming together with a common purpose in order to support their country. Through this, another convention that developed is unity. This is shown by illustrating the support by each country of its soldiers, and each military service coming together to fight for the security of their homeland. Another form in which unity is displayed is on a smaller scale. By including a scene of a family becoming closer, or bonding, through a simple emotion such as sadness or the happiness of being reunited, unity is being represented. Not only was the positive side of unity shown, but the negative side as well. For example, many motion pictures contain content of people uniting in order to protest the war. If it were not for these continual conventions throughout war films, the genre would have become unsuccessful, but that it simply not the case.

The current status of this genre is alive and well. As afore mentioned, the most recent war movie, “The Hurt Locker”, was successful in winning the title of Motion Picture of the Year. Other recently popular films include “300” (2007), “Blood Diamond” (2006), and “Brothers” (2009). Because of the continuing battle in Iraq, there is still an interest of war in the minds of Americans. As a result of this interest, there is a large success in the war genre today.

Throughout the course of history it is easy to determine that as long as there is conflict, there is potential for a war film. This is apparent through the growth and popularity of the genre since its start in the early 1900s. Each war has given a number of directors and producers a chance to prove themselves in their field. After each movie was made, the conventions of the need for mobilization and unity were developed. These conventions set the bar for the war films of today that have gone on to win awards. In conclusion, the success of the war genre has almost never lulled, and most likely never will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT3D2PJ0igc&feature=related